Defendant was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and received a mandatory sentence of natural life imprisonment. Defendant subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the trial court dismissed at the second stage of proceedings. Defendant appealed, arguing that he made a substantial showing that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel when counsel did not support defendant’s motion to suppress statements or, in the alternative, that defendant’s statements were coerced and their use violated his right against self-incrimination. The appellate court reversed and remanded for a third stage evidentiary hearing, finding that defendant made a substantial showing that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel under Strickland. (D.B. WALKER and R. VAN TINE, concurring)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Post-Conviction Hearing Act